I have read that Gaussian surface cannot pass through discrete charges. Why is i
ID: 1392342 • Letter: I
Question
I have read that Gaussian surface cannot pass through discrete charges. Why is it so? I have even seen in application of Gauss' Law when we imagine a Gaussian Surface passing through a charge distribution, e.g. in case of infinite plane charge carrying sheet .
If it cannot pass through discrete charges how do we use it in continuous charge distributions as same 'objection' must be there for it also.
Please explain the reason.
Here E?? as, r?0
If this is ambiguity then this must be same in continuous charge distribution , otherwise please state it more clearly because we can define charge to be a spherical ball and half charge can be considered inside surface
Explanation / Answer
If there is a point charge located on the Gaussian surface, then it is ambiguous how much of that charge should be counted as inside the surface. The same ambiguity does not arise for a three dimensional charge distribution, or when a Gaussian surface intersects a two dimensional charge distribution only over a one dimensional region.
The same ambiguity would arise if a two dimensional charge distribution coincided with the Gaussian surface over a two dimensional region.